Latch



- Dec. 30, 1930. M DEMODY 1,786,521

LATCH Filed NOV. 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 .1.. '-/0 Y i El fr-12 52ATTORNEY Dec.' 3 0, 1930. Y M DERMODY 1,786,521

Filed Nov. e, 1923 2 sheets-sheet' 2 BY digi/mu. f

ATTORNEY Patented Bec. 30, i930 MICHAEL DERIJODY,

F NEW YORK, N. Y.

LATCH Application led November rrl`he present invention in its broaderaspects is applicable to latch bolt constructions in which a wide andvaried range of handle or key controlled bolt-operating mechanisms maybe used. The invention is more specically designed, however, forembodiment in a latch of the knob or handle operated type equipped withmeans for positively preventing operation of the latch bolt from theoutside of the door.

Not only is the device suitable for preventing retraction of the latchbolt by an outside knob but it is well adapted for embodiment in a latchbolt normally key controlled from the outside of the door yet capable ofselective internal setting in such a manner that even a key isineffective to withdraw the bolt.

More specifically the invention finds its preferred embodiment in alatch bolt mechanism which, considered by itself, embodies numerousdesirable structural features, together with a manually operable boltblocker mechanism for sustaining the bolt in either itsprojected orretracted position.

As concerns the latch bolt mechanism itself one object ofthe inventionis to provide a mechanism which will do away withthe present necessityfor expensive door mortising operations and which requires little more3G than the drilling of two holes in the door,

one transversely through the stile and the other inwardly from the edgeof the stile.

The latch bolt, when applied, is capable of either right hand or lefthand operation, being rotatable in its casing so that its camming facemay properly coact with a keeper on the jam regardless of the directionin which the door is to be swung.

The bolt'blocker mechanism is of extremely simple, practicalconstruction. Y It may Lbe conveniently associated with any ordinaryescutcheon plate and is preferably substantially concealed by theescutcheon plate, leaving only a couple of small handles or knobsprojecting through slots in the plate.

An important feature of the invention is the fact that when the latchbolt has been once applied it actually locks the operating spindleagainst lateral withdrawal from the doorstep. The spindle-and bolt areopera- Serial No. 317,53.

tively connected by a rotary movement of the spindle at the time thatthe bolt casing is only partially home and after the bolt casing issecured the spindle itself is held against Withdrawal although free forrotation to the extent required for projecting and retracting the bolt.

rEhe bolt blocker mechanism is so disposed that it cannot be attackedfrom the outside of the door with a jimmy, hacksaw, or other tool.r

lilith the above noted and other objects in view, the invention consistsin certain novel features of construction and combinations andarrangements of parts which will be more fully hereinafter described andpointed out in the claims.

The invention may be more fully understood from the followingdescription in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. lis a. longitudinal sectional View through the bolt casing and associatedmechanism showing the `casing in its home position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view at right angles to Fig. l and takenapproximately on the line 2-2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing theoperating knobs in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a view of the bolt blocker mechanism taken from the insideofthe escutcheon plate approximately on the line 4 4- of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional detail on the line 5*5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary outside elevational detail showing the slot andthe escutcheon plate through which Athe handle of the bolt locker works.

Fig. 7 is a detail elevation showing the cut-out which supplements thetransverse bore in the stile, in order that the coupling pin may beentered with the spindle.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. l but illustrating a key-controlledmechanism for the bolt.

Fig. 9 isa vertical sectional view taken approximately onthe lineA 9-9of F ig. 8.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings, I have used thereference numeral 10 to designate a door stile. Drilled inwardly fromthe edge of the stile is a relatively deep pocket or bore 11 andinnnediately above the pocket the stile is intersected by a transversecylindrical bore 12. Bolt casing 13 of cylindrical formation isk enteredinto the bore 11 and a plate 14 integral with the outer end of the boltcasing lies flush with the edge of the stile and is retained in positionby screws 15.

The bolt 16 is also of circular cross-section throughout the majorportion of its length including a relatively enlarged head 17, theprojecting end of which is flattened at one side and beveled on theother side, as at 18 and 19, in order to produce the usual latchformation. IIead 17 is guided for sliding movement in the relativelyenlarged outer end of the bolt casing, the reduced inner end of the boltcasing defining a shoulder 20, against Which a coiled expansion spring21 is backed. This spring encircles the bolt, bears against the head 17,and normally acts to project the bolt.

Inwardly beyond the shoulder the bolt casing is provided with pairs ofdiametrically opposite slots 22 and 23 respectively. A radial finger orpin 24 extends through one of the slots 22 and into a correspondingtransverse slot 25 in the bolt. Finger 24 is fixed to a rotatablespindle 26 journalled in the transverse bore 12. Said spindle includesthe usual reduced extensions 27 to pass through the inner and outerescutcheon plates 28, 29 and rosettes 32and having fixed thereto theknob shanks 30 and knobs 31.

The radial slot 33 which, as shown in Fig. 7, communicates with the bore12, serves the purpose of permitting the finger 24 to pass from one faceof the door to its operative position, as the spindle is entered intothe bore.

In Fig. 1 it is apparent that rotation of the spindle in eitherdirection is inoperative to disengage the finger 24 from the slot 25 inthe bolt. lVhen, however, the bolt casing is partially Withdrawn finger24 may be rocked out of engagement with the bolt and the casing uponrotation of the spindle. This feature is important since it affords aunique arrangement by which the bolt casing and bolt are engaged withthe spindle through the finger 24 with the casing in partially retractedposition. Vhen the casing is forced home and secured by the screws 15 itis impossible to remove the spindle, and the bolt and spindle arepositively coupled and held against disconnection by the bolt casing.Obviously an intruder cannot get at the bolt casing' to Withdraw thesame.

One of the slots 23 serves to accommodate the elongated handle arm 34having its inner end screwed into or otherwise secured to the bolt 16.The outer end of the arm 34 Works through a slot 35 in the escutcheonplate and carries an operating knob 36.

Preferably the inner escutcheon plate is rather deeply offset andslotted for the accommodation of a clogging mechanism which coacts withthe stud 34. Said mechanism may consist of a clogging bolt 37 guided forvertical sliding movement in ears 38 turned inv-rardly from theescutcheon plate 28.

.#r handle member 40 fixed to the lower end of the bolt 37 Works in agenerally L-shaped slot in the escutcheon plate, this slot including avertical section 41 and a. horizontal section 42 communicating with thetop of section 40. Bolt 37 normally is held in the inoperative positionof Fig. 2 by gravity. By grasping the handle 40 and lifting the boltupwardly however, the upper end of the bolt becomes effective to blockmovement of the stud 34. Bolt 37 is held in this blocking position bysimply rotating it until the handle 40 enters the slot 42. lilith theblocker bolt 37 in its elevated position, the latch bolt may be heldeither in retracted or projected position, depending upon the positionof the latch bolt and consequently the stud 34 at the time bolt 37 isshot upwardly.

Vhile it is of no special consequence in the disclosure of Figs. 1 to 7,the knob 36 may itself be used for projecting and retracting the latchbolt 16. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the handleof the stud is so used as part of a night latch.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown the same principle embodied in a nightlatch and in these figures have used similar reference numerals onsimilar parts of the latch bolt and bolt blocker mechanisms. Vith thisform of the invention, a finger 24a, corresponding to the finger 24, isfixed directly to the key cylinder 60 of a conventional key-controlledrotary tumbler lock, the casing of which is shown at 6l, the lescutcheonplate at 62 and the key at 63. I'Iere the key 63 acts through the finger24a to actuate the latch bolt from the outside of the door and the knob36 of the stud 34 serves as a handle to actuate the latch bolt from theinside of the door. Blocker bolt 37, when shifted into the path of thestud 34 acts to prevent keycontrolled movement of the latch bolt. Thelatch bolt blocking may be effected with the latch bolt in eitherretracted or projected position, but of course is particularly useful asa night latch for preventing opening of the door from the outside, evenWith a key.

What I claim is:

1. In a latch an escutcheon plate, a. sliding bolt, a laterallyprojecting actuating arm fixed to the inner end of the bolt and asliding dog movable into the path of the arm to selectively dog themovement of the bolt to projected or retracted position, the slidllOable dog being normally gravitationally held out of dogging positionandmeans integral With the escutcheon plate to support it in doggingposition. l

2. In a latch a sliding bolt, a laterally projecting actuating arm iXedto the inner end of the bolt and a clogging member movable into the pathof the arm to selectively dog the movement of the bolt to projected orretracted position, the slidable dog being normally held in inoperativeposition and tive clogging position.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 1st day of November, A. D. 1928.

MICHAEL DERMODY.

